riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Lake and Peninsula Borough Disaster Risk

Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#23

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

0th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska

Lake and Peninsula: well below national risk

Lake and Peninsula Borough's composite risk score of 6.27 places it in the Very Low category, far below the national average. Despite Alaska's remote hazards, this county demonstrates exceptional resilience across most disaster types.

Lowest-risk county in Alaska

Lake and Peninsula Borough ranks safest among all Alaska counties with a composite score of 6.27, less than one-fifth the state average of 35.22. The borough's geographic isolation and natural geography provide substantial disaster protection.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Lake and Peninsula's 6.27 score is dramatically lower than all neighboring regions, including Kusilvak Census Area (57.92) and Northwest Arctic Borough (54.58). The borough stands as Alaska's safest community by a considerable margin.

Earthquake presents only real concern

Earthquake risk of 79.68 is Lake and Peninsula's dominant hazard, though wildfire risk remains moderate at 45.45. Flood, tornado, and other weather-related risks are minimal across the borough.

Earthquake insurance offers reassurance

Homeowners in Lake and Peninsula should prioritize earthquake coverage given seismic exposure in Alaska's geologically active region. Standard hazard insurance adequately covers other disaster types in this exceptionally low-risk borough.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lake and Peninsula Borough

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    45th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    1th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Lake and Peninsula Borough

Risk Verdict

Lake and Peninsula Borough sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 6th percentile nationally. Lake and Peninsula Borough's composite score at the 6th percentile reflects an overall profile — not an absence of hazard; knowing which specific risks rank highest here enables the most efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Lake and Peninsula Borough's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 45th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (1th percentile), flood (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 80th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Lake and Peninsula Borough households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Lake and Peninsula Borough's secondary hazard, wildfire at the 45th percentile nationally, requires different alert monitoring and response than earthquake — households benefit from understanding the distinct early-warning systems for each. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Lake and Peninsula Borough: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

Lake and Peninsula Borough falls 29.0 points below Alaska's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lake and Peninsula Borough's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK?
Lake and Peninsula Borough has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Lake and Peninsula Borough?
Lake and Peninsula Borough is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (80th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile), tornado (1th percentile), flooding (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 80th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Lake and Peninsula Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Lake and Peninsula Borough's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lake and Peninsula Borough faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Lake and Peninsula Borough at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Lake and Peninsula Borough's earthquake risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lake and Peninsula Borough is at the 0th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Lake and Peninsula Borough a safe place to live?
Lake and Peninsula Borough's composite risk score of 6th percentile is below the Alaska state average of 35th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 80th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.